In the summer of 2018, reports surfaced regarding an association between Boutique/Exotic/Grain-Free (BEG) diets for pets and a potentially fatal heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM can be hereditary, but can also have a nutritional origin. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with renowned schools of veterinary medicine at Tufts and University of California Davis, have issued statements summarizing their findings on the link between diet and DCM.
Pet owners play a vital role in providing the right nutrition for companion animals. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the diet you are on or recommended by your own physician is the best choice for your pet. While many human diets claim to be “Low Fat,” “Low Carb,” or “RAW FOOD containing,” it should not be assumed these diets are healthy for your pet.
In June 2019, the FDA named 16 of the top dog food brands that were most frequently used in DCM reported cases. Those brands are: Acana, Zignature, Taste of the Wild, 4Health, Earthborn Holistic, Blue Buffalo, Nature’s Domain, Fromm, Merrick, California Natural, Natural Balance, Orijen, Nature’s Variety, NutriSource, Nutro, and Rachael Ray Nutrish.
Read, ‘ “Food” For Thought’, here: https://theconnectionsnj.com/food-for-thought/
Due to the increased risk of these diets, we are encouraging anyone feeding their pets a BEG diet (especially one of top cited diets above) to transition to one of the four major brands complying with all recommendations set forth by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) for pet food companies. The only pet food brands complying with all of these recommendations are: Hills/Science Diet, Royal Canin. Eukanuba/Iams, and Purina (Pro Plan, most other formulas). We do not recommend a grain-free or exotic diet unless your pet was specifically diagnosed with a medical need for such diet by a veterinarian.
As outlined by WSAVA, these four companies employ full-time, board certified veterinaAVAry nutritionists to formulate their diets; dictate specific quality control measures in, as well as full control over, their production plants; and conduct and publish peer-reviewed research on the products. Additionally, they perform AAFCO feeding trials on their foods to ensure nutritional adequacy, as evidenced by this statement on the product label (usually found under the ingredients/guaranteed analysis): “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that this diet provides complete and balanced nutrition for <this specific stage life stage>.”
All decisions on what to feed your pet should be made in consultation with a state-licensed veterinarian who has access to your pet’s medical history. If anyone is interested in discussing dietary options for your pet, we welcome you to contact one of us at the Bernardsville Animal Hospital, conveniently located at 41 Morristown Road, Bernardsville. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 9:00am-6:30pm, Saturdays 9:00am- 1:00pm.
Eva Bostek-Brady, DVM — Natalie Lucyk, DVM
Veterinarians at the Bernardsville Animal Hospital
908-766-0041